The University of Prince Edward Island is disappointed that the Faculty Association did not show up for a meeting as organized by the conciliator appointed by the Department of Justice and Public Safety.

The University remains confident that both parties can resolve outstanding issues with the assistance of a third-party independent conciliator and conclude an agreement by June 30, 2016 when the Faculty Association collective agreement expires.

UPEI is very focused on negotiating a collective agreement and is ready and waiting for the Faculty Association to return to the table. The University’s negotiating team has prepared new proposals and is ready to share them with the Faculty Association.

In addition, regarding the Faculty Association asserting in a news release today “that the assigned dates played into the Employer’s summer lockout agenda,” the University wants to be clear that there is no plan, and there never has been a plan to lock out faculty. The University will not lock out faculty and staff. The University hopes that the Faculty Association will return to the negotiating table and also commit to not striking.

The University remains steadfast in its belief that labour disruption is of no benefit to UPEI or, most importantly, to students, and for this reason is committed to arriving at a deal by June 30.

CBC News contacted the University earlier today asking us to respond to comments made by Leader of the NDP Mike Redmond. The University's statement follows:

It would be inappropriate for us to comment on Mr. Redmond’s first suggestion (re: merger) and we are not aware of any discussions taking place around this topic.

Regarding the latter, UPEI is very focused on negotiating a collective agreement and welcomes the return to negotiations on June 13 and 14 as set by the conciliator.

The University is confident that both parties can resolve outstanding issues with the assistance of a third-party independent conciliator and conclude an agreement by June 30, 2016 when the Faculty Association collective agreement expires.

Labour disruption is of no benefit whatsoever to the University or, most importantly, to our students. We are committed to arriving at a deal by June 30 because we want to have labour peace.

The University has about 1000 summer students including students in programs that run through the summer like nursing, education, and veterinary medicine. The very last thing we want to do is cause our students any stress by interrupting their studies. In addition, we do not want to risk our efforts regarding recruitment and retention. This is why reaching a deal by June 30 is so important.

The University is confident that both parties can resolve outstanding issues with the assistance of a third-party independent conciliator and conclude an agreement by June 30, 2016 when the Faculty Association collective agreement expires.

For more information about conciliation, please visit our FAQs page. If you have questions, please submit them via the Ask Us page.

In the UPEI 2016-2017 budget released May 19, 2016, pension deficit is referenced as being a significant financial burden to both the University and the employees. As a major component of the total compensation package, the sustainability of the UPEI Pension Plan is critical to all unionized and non-unionized employees.

Please continue to check this site for future updates. If you have a question that is not addressed on our FAQS page please submit on our Ask Us page.

UPEI looks forward to getting back to negotiating a collective agreement with the assistance of a third party independent conciliator.

A conciliator has been assigned to assist UPEI and the Faculty Association reach a negotiated agreement. In the coming days, both parties will work with the conciliator to confirm dates for negotiations.

The University is confident the appointment of an independent third party to work with both parties offers the greatest opportunity to resolve outstanding issues and conclude an agreement by June 30, 2016 when the Faculty Association collective agreement expires.

The University issued notice to bargain to the Faculty Association on January 7, 2016. UPEI shared an initial proposal for consideration during the first bargaining session on February 4, 2016. Both sides have met a total of 10 times in 2016 to negotiate a new collective agreement.

For more information about conciliation, please visit our FAQs page. If you have questions, please submit them via the Ask Us page.

UPEI remains ready and willing to negotiate collective agreements with all unions and bargaining units currently seeking a collective agreement. As a major component of the total compensation package, the UPEI Pension Plan is an important part of these negotiations. This Plan membership consists of unionized and non-unionized faculty and staff at UPEI.

A comprehensive proposal, including a pension proposal, was presented to the UPEIFA on February 4, 2016. Both parties further discussed the UPEI Pension Plan on April 13 during the first of two days set aside for side table negotiations dedicated to pension. The University has not received a counter proposal.

It is important to note that a side table approach can allow greater efficiency and commonality in information sharing but does not relieve either the University or the individual bargaining agents from making every effort to conclude a new collective agreement with respect to terms and conditions of employment, including pension.

The University believes a solution exists to mitigate the vulnerability of the current Plan’s structure and achieve a negotiated agreement by June 30, 2016 when the UPEI faculty agreement expires. As such the University has applied for conciliation to assist both parties reach a negotiated agreement.

UPEI is accountable to our major funders including students, the province, and donors. The PEI Government stated that it expects publicly funded institutions to deal effectively with pension plan liabilities and risk. In the Speech from the Throne on June 3, 2015, the Government said:

“To ensure that our post-secondary institutions can continue their vital role into the future, their fiscal sustainability must be assured, and pensions play a major role in this. My Government has made progress toward securing its pensions for the future, and we will continue to strongly encourage our publicly funded institutions to place priority and follow a similar course.”

The University wants bargaining with the UPEI Faculty Association (UPEIFA) to continue without delay. UPEI is a strong university with an outstanding faculty, staff, and administration serving our students. The University is committed to working together to continue to foster this relationship.

Please continue to check this site for future updates. If you have a question that is not addressed on our FAQs page please submit on our Ask Us page.

UPEI wants bargaining with the UPEI Faculty Association (UPEIFA) to continue without delay with the goal of reaching agreement as soon as possible at least by June 30, 2016. As such, the University has applied for conciliation to assist both parties reach a negotiated agreement.

The University is confident the appointment of an independent third party to work with both parties offers the greatest opportunity to resolution.

Yesterday, the UPEIFA filed a complaint against the University with the PEI Labour Relations Board claiming Unfair Labour Practice. The UPEIFA says that it will not return to the table until the complaint is resolved.

The University feels this move is counterproductive to reaching an agreement. It is not the first time the UPEIFA has filed a similar complaint. In the last round of bargaining in 2011 such a complaint was made. It was not resolved by the Labour Relations Board, rather the parties continued negotiating; a new collective agreement was reached and the complaint was withdrawn. The mere filing of a complaint does not relieve either party from fulfilling their legal duty to keep bargaining in good faith.

The University believes an agreement can be reached by June 30, when the faculty agreement expires. UPEI is a strong university with an outstanding faculty, staff, and administration serving our students. The University is committed to working together to continue to foster this relationship.

Please continue to check this site for future updates. If you have a question that is not addressed on our FAQS page please submit on our Ask Us page.

In order to assist UPEI and the UPEI Faculty Association reach a collective agreement through the bargaining process, the University of Prince Edward Island today requested the appointment of a conciliator by the Minister of Justice and Public Safety. A conciliator acts as a neutral third party by helping both parties work towards a mutually satisfactory solution and a new collective agreement.

Earlier today the UPEIFA filed a complaint with the PEI Labour Relations Board claiming Unfair Labour Practice against the University. The UPEIFA has said that it will not return to the bargaining table until its complaint is resolved. The University will be contesting the complaint and says that it is making every reasonable effort to conclude a collective agreement. That is why it has sought the appointment of a conciliation officer today to assist the parties in that process. The University looks forward to appointment so as to resume collective bargaining.

The University of Prince Edward Island values faculty and wants to work together in the best interest of UPEI. The University is committed to negotiating a collective agreement at the table and looks forward to meeting and continuing negotiations.

The University issued notice to bargain to the Faculty Association January 7, 2016. UPEI shared an initial proposal for consideration during the first bargaining session February 4, 2016. Both sides have met a total of 10 times in 2016 to negotiate a new collective agreement.

Negotiations with IBEW 1928 continue on May 11, 12, 13 and CUPE 1870 has future dates set for May 3, 4 and June 13, 28.

Please check back for further updates. Should you have any questions, please visit our FAQs page or submit them via our Ask Us page.

The University and the UPEIFA held their third collective bargaining meeting on March 2, 2016; the fourth on March 7, 2016; and, the fifth bargaining meeting was held on March 8, 2016. Future meetings are scheduled for March 21 and for April 11, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 27, and 28, 2016.

IBEW 1928's first collective bargaining meeting is scheduled for April 8, 2016; and, collective bargaining meetings are scheduled with CUPE 1870 for May 3-4 and June 13 and 28, 2016.

The University and the UPEIFA held their second collective bargaining meeting on February 16, 2016. The next meetings are scheduled for March 2, 7, 8, and 21 and April 11, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 27, and 28.

The University and the UPEIFA held their first collective bargaining meeting on February 4, 2016. Both negotiating teams have agreed to continue conversations with the next meetings scheduled for February 16, 2016 and March 2, 2016.

Collective bargaining between the University and CUPE 1870 and IBEW 1928 is also set to begin shortly.

The University provided notice to CUPE 1870 to bargain on January 7, 2016 in an effort to initiate the bargaining process well in advance of the current collective agreement’s expiration date of April 30, 2016. The first meeting is on February 25. UPEI’s negotiating team is as follows: Mr. Bruce Macdonald (chair), Ms. Virginia Wickstrom, and Dr. Heather Gunn-McQuillan (alternate Mr. Marven MacLean).

UPEI received notice to bargain from IBEW 1928 on January 28. The IBEW collective agreement expires April 30, 2016. The University’s negotiating team will be Mr. Bruce Macdonald (chair), Mr. Greg Clayton, Mr. David Taylor, and Ms. Virginia Wickstrom.

Both University negotiating teams look forward to working with CUPE 1870 and IBEW 1928 to achieve collective agreements that help UPEI continue to achieve its mission of providing high quality education for UPEI students.

Collective bargaining between the University and the UPEI Faculty Association (UPEIFA) is scheduled to begin February 4. The University provided notice to bargain on January 7, 2016 in an effort to initiate the bargaining process well in advance of the current collective agreement’s expiration date of June 30, 2016.

The team looks forward to working with the UPEIFA to achieve a new collective agreement that helps UPEI continue to provide high quality programs for UPEI students. For more information about the collective bargaining process, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

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